1 . How You Can Learn a Language in Only 10 Days
Most people recognize the many benefits of learning a foreign language: You can travel to foreign countries and feel comfortable, be a more productive and attractive employee in today’s competitive job market, and immerse (沉浸) yourself in the vast cultures around the world. In addition, scientific studies have shown that learning a new language helps to keep memories sharp and naturally improves brain function.
But do you know that you can learn a new language in as little as 10 days? The Pimsleur Approach to learning new languages help users pick up new languages quickly .Even the FBI and National Security Agency have purchased the Pimsleur Approach.
The Pimsleur Languag Programs
The entire Pimsleur Approach is what language learning should be: quick, fun and easy. You will learn a new language effortlessly without any reading, writing or computer use. The Pimsleur Approach has a 100 percent guarantee: speak in 10 days or you don’t pay.
Who is Dr. Pimsleur?
Pimsleur Approach is a language educator. He noticed that children have an amazing ability to learn new languages quickly. He spent his life developing this course to let you, as an adult, learn a new language as easily as a child would. You might not realize it, but you have already learned one language using the Pimsleur Approach.
Limited availability of special offers
The company is currently offering new customers a special offer of 50 % discount on tuition fees.The programs which normally cost $100 are now available for just %50. Better yet, they are also offering a money-back guarantee. So, if you find you are not learning as fast as they said, simply return it for a full payment.
For more information, please click here.
1. According to the first paragraph, ________ .| A．most people have learned a foreign language |
| B．you can find a job easily if you know a foreign language |
| C．learning a foreign language can improve brain function |
| D．it is hard to stay in a foreign country if you do not know its language |
| A．ask your money back | B．learn it again for free |
| C．change your teacher | D．ask Dr.Pimsleur for help |
| A．is the owner of the Pimsleur language programs |
| B．is a language educator who studies children’s languages |
| C．once worked for the FBI and National Security Agency |
| D．developed a course helping adults learn a new language easily |
| A．From an educational magazine. |
| B．On the Internet. |
| C．On a poster. |
| D．From the latest newspaper. |
| A．introduce an effective language-learning environment |
| B．present a language educator’s experiences |
| C．appeal to potential customers to use the approach |
| D．call on more adults to learn foreign languages |
2 . 
If you're fed up with those unreliable drugstore umbrellas that are always breaking in the wind or getting lost when you need them most, this freshly-launched Kickstarter project might be just what you need. Oombrella, as it's called, is a connected umbrella that features a broad suite of environmental sensors that can send updates to your smartphone. The device allows users to receive real-time weather forecast, and even helps find a lost Oombrella through Oombrella's community of users.
According to the product's Kickstarter page, Oombrella features a set of Kevlar ribs (伞骨) so that the umbrella can stand high winds and heavy rain without damage. Down below, the handle is made of injected plastic to ensure that the sensor capsule is completely waterproof. Oombrella's magic is all packed away inside this capsule, which includes sensors to measure temperature, pressure and light. The capsule then uses Bluetooth to transmit this data to the Oombrella mobile app — so users can receive weather forecast before the rain even starts. The capsule also features a buzzer (蜂鸣器) and LED light so you can get reminded while your phone is in your pocket.
Those who purchase an Oombrella will also get acces to Wezzoo, Oombrella's connected user community Members can share community's weather information in real time, so other Oombrella users can get extrmely accurate weather reporting for their specific area as long as there are enough fellow users nearby.
Oombrella is all set to hit the global market through the Internet and physical stores this fall. The rainbow-colored Oombrella comes in a classic style that's about 3.1 feet long with a curved (弧形的) handle, and a modern version that is 0.8 feet long with a straight handle. The Oombrella capsule will also be available on its own, so you could theoretically turn any regular umbrella into a smart Oombrella.
The Kickstarter campaign is looking to raise just over $65,500 by mid-April and backers can get all kinds of Oombrella allowances. Paying $32 in advance will get you a capsule to update your own umbrella with, and paying $66 or more will unlock a variety of full Oombrella editions in your choice of rainbow, black, or white. If all goes according to plan, Oombrellas will ship soon.
1. What's special about Oombrella?| A．Sheltering users from rain. |
| B．Protecting the environment. |
| C．Finding a lost umbrella quickly. |
| D．Offering instant weather information. |
| A．various functions | B．smart structure |
| C．building materials | D．practical applications |
| A．the speed of the Internet conetion |
| B．specific areas the users are staying |
| C．the number of surrounding users |
| D．the level of users' membership |
| A．Its color is dull. |
| B．Its design is out of date. |
| C．It hasn't been put into market yet. |
| D．It is available only in physical stores. |
| A．Advertise its new product. |
| B．Raise money for a new product. |
| C．Advise replacing the traditional umbrella. |
| D．Introduce a new service on smartphone. |
3 . Still seeking a destination for your weekend break? There are some places which are probably a mere walk away from your college.
King's Art Centre
A day at the Centre could mean a visit to an exhibition of the work of one of the most interesting contemporary artists on show anywhere. This weekend sees the opening of an exhibition of four local artists.
You could attend a class teaching you how to ‘learn from the masters’ or get more creative with paint—free of charge.
The Centre also runs two life drawing classes for which there is a small fee.
The Botanic Garden
The Garden has over 8,000 plant species；it holds the research and teaching collection of living plants for Cambridge University.
The multibranched Torch Aloe here is impressive. The African plant produces red flowers above bluegreen leaves, and is not one to miss.
Get to the display house to see Dionaea muscipula, a plant more commonly known as the Venus Flytrap that feeds on insects and other small animals.
The Garden is also a place for wildlife enthusiasts. Look for grass snakes in the lake. A snake called ‘Hissing Sid’ is regularly seen lying in the heat of the warm sun.
Byron's Pool
Many stories surround Lord Byron's time as a student of Cambridge University. Arriving in 1805, he wrote a letter complaining that it was a place of “mess and drunkenness”. However, it seems as though Byron did manage to pass the time pleasantly enough. I'm not just talking about the pet bear he kept in his rooms. He spent a great deal of time walking in the village.
It is also said that on occasion Byron swam naked by moonlight in the lake, which is now known as Byron's Pool. A couple of miles past Grantchester in the south Cambridgeshire countryside, the pool is surrounded by beautiful circular paths around the fields. The cries of invisible birds make the trip a lovely experience and on the way home you can drop into the village for afternoon tea. If you don't trust me, then perhaps you'll take it from Virginia Woolf—over a century after Byron, she reportedly took a trip to swim in the same pool.
1. According to the passage, there is a small charge for ______.| A．seeing an exhibition |
| B．learning life drawing |
| C．working with local artists |
| D．attending the masters' class |
| A．common insects | B．rarely seen snakes |
| C．impressive plants | D．wildlife-enthusiasts |
| A．owned by Lord Byron | B．surrounded by fields |
| C．located in Grantchester | D．discovered by Virginia Woolf |
| A．Unknown stories of Cambridge University. |
| B．The colourful life in the countryside. |
| C．A way to become creative in art. |
| D．Some places for weekend break. |
Class Size: 12 to 22
Grades: JK to Gr. 12
Gender(性别): All girls
Living: day, Boarding(提供住宿的）
Founded in 1903, Branksome Hall is Toronto’s only all-girls, all-years International Baccalaureate (IB）World School. From the earliest grades, students learn to become leaders and to understand the value of serving the community. Discover Branksome hall’s programs at www.brunksome.on.ca.
Stanstead CollegeClass Size: 13
Grades: Gr. 7 to Gr.12
Gender: Open to both sexes
Living: Boarding
Stanstead College is a private boarding school for boys and girls in Grades 7 through 12. It is an English school that embraces (包含) French in and out of the classroom. It is also uniquely placed to open doors to top universities and colleges in the United States, Canada and around the world.
Oakwood AcademyClass Size: 1 to 4
Grades: JK to Gr. 12.
Gender: Open to both sexes
Living: Day
Oakwood Academy is a private school for students who require an individualized education plan and small class size to meet their unique learning styles. Direct Instruction is used to teach academics in small groups and a meaningful curriculum (课程) allows students to truly learn.
TEAM SchoolClass Size: 8 to 12
Grades: Gr. 1 to Gr.12
Gender: Open to both sexes
Living: Day
TEAM School provides an academic program for students in Grades 1 through 12. Students from ages 6 to 14 benefit from small class sizes (8 students) and an individualized academic program to provide an educational upgrading.
1. Which of the following is a single-gender school？| A．TEAM School. | B．Branksome Hall. |
| C．Stanstead College. | D．Oakwood Academy. |
| A．It is for preschoolers. |
| B．It involves two languages in class. |
| C．It is characterized by small class sizes. |
| D．It provides places for students to stay overnight. |
| A．It has a small class size. | B．It’s a boarding school. |
| C．It offers job opportunities. | D．It has its own website. |
| A．There are at least 12 students in a class. |
| B．It is just open to children of school age. |
| C．Students can. learn how to work together as a team there. |
| D．Most of its students enter top universities after graduating. |
| A．Personalized ways of studying. |
| B．A sense of serving the community. |
| C．Preparing students for top universities. |
| D．Designing meaningful lessons for students. |
